What Is the Cisco C9300X-24Y-1E? 25G Port Density, DNA Essentials, and Core Network Value



​Overview of the Cisco C9300X-24Y-1E​

The Cisco C9300X-24Y-1E is a ​​fixed-configuration, high-density 25G switch​​ from the Catalyst 9000X series, optimized for enterprise core networks and mid-sized data centers. It prioritizes cost-efficiency and simplified deployment, offering robust performance for bandwidth-intensive tasks like virtualization, cloud connectivity, and distributed storage.


​Core Technical Specifications​

  • ​Port Configuration​​: 24 x 25G SFP28 ports + 4 x 10G SFP+ uplinks.
  • ​Performance​​: ​​1.44 Tbps switching capacity​​ with ​​Cisco DNA Essentials licensing​​, covering foundational automation, QoS, and threat detection.
  • ​Scalability​​: Supports ​​StackWise®-Virtual​​ for multi-chassis stacking (up to 8 switches) with unified management.
  • ​Security​​: ​​MACsec-128 encryption​​ on all ports for data confidentiality, ideal for regulated industries like healthcare and finance.

​Key User Concerns Addressed​

​Q: Why choose DNA Essentials over DNA Advantage?​
DNA Essentials reduces upfront costs for organizations needing ​​basic automation and security​​ without AI-driven analytics or SD-Access segmentation. It’s ideal for static environments with predictable traffic patterns.

​Q: Are the 10G uplinks sufficient for modern core networks?​
While 10G uplinks can bottleneck hyperscale workloads, they suit ​​mid-sized enterprises​​ aggregating traffic from 1G/10G access layers. For 25G/40G spine-leaf architectures, consider models with 40G QSFP+ uplinks.


​C9300X-24Y-1E vs. Catalyst 9300X-24Y-10A​

Unlike the 10A variant (pre-loaded with DNA Advantage), this model ​​lacks advanced features like encrypted traffic analytics​​ but costs ~20% less. It’s better suited for budget-driven buyers prioritizing port density over predictive networking.


​Licensing and Procurement Considerations​

The “1E” suffix confirms ​​Cisco DNA Essentials licensing​​ is included, covering basic network automation and compliance reporting. For organizations needing scalability, “C9300X-24Y-1E” at itmall.sale offers competitive pricing for bulk orders, though stock may rotate seasonally.


​Insights from Mid-Market Deployments​

In a recent deployment for a regional bank, the C9300X-24Y-1E’s ​​25G ports and MACsec encryption​​ streamlined secure inter-VLAN routing for transactional data. However, its lack of 40G uplinks required careful traffic shaping to avoid oversubscription. For SMBs eyeing cloud migration, this switch balances performance and affordability—but verify DNA Essentials’ limitations against your IT roadmap. Overlooking feature gaps in analytics could necessitate costly mid-cycle upgrades. Always pair with capable monitoring tools to maximize visibility.

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